65th Berlinale: Promising Swiss films and actors
Several Swiss productions will be screened in the most important programme sections of the 65th Berlinale. Two films produced by Dschoint Ventschr in Zurich have been selected for the Panorama section: “Dora Or The Sexual Neuroses Of Our Parents” by Stina Werenfels and “Iraqi Odyssey” by Samir.
04.02.2015
Following “Going Private” (2006), Stina Werenfels now presents her second film for the big screen in the Panorama section at the Berlinale. “Dora Or The Sexual Neuroses Of Our Parents” is based on the stage play of the same name by Lukas Bärfuss and features outstanding debut film performances by Lars Eidinger and Victoria Schulz. Samir’s 3-D documentary film “Iraqi Odyssey” has already caused a stir at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Zurich Film Festival and the Abu Dhabi Film Festival. His family story will now be screened at the Berlinale. The Swiss coproduction “Sworn Virgin” may pin its hopes on a Bear. This debut film by the young Italian director Laura Bispuri was coproduced by Bord Cadre Films (Dan Wechsler) in Geneva and RSI. Alba Rohrwacher and Lars Eidinger star in the leading roles of the Swiss-Italian-German-Albanian and Kosovan coproduction.
In addition, the Swiss coproduction “A German Youth” (Alina Film, Geneva) will be presented in the Panorama Dokumente section. Screened in the Forum Expanded are two coproductions from Geneva: “Gineva” and “Fish Plane, Heart Clock”. The latter was coproduced by the renowned Centre d’Art Contemporain in Geneva, as was “The Island Is Enchanted With You” by Alexander Carver and Daniel Schmidt, which will be presented in the Berlinale Shorts section. Swiss filmmaker Michael Krummenacher’s graduation film “Sibylle” at the University of Television and Film Munich (HFF) was selected for the Perspektive Deutsches Kino section.
Ursula Meier and Kacey Mottet Klein in Berlin
Two Swiss animation films are in the Generation K+ section: “The Little Bird And The Squirrel” by Lena von Döhren and “Air-Mail” by Isabelle Favez, together with Ursula Meier’s new short film “Kacey Mottet Klein, Birth of an Actor”. The young Swiss prodigy Kacey Mottet Klein made his film debut in Ursula Meier’s “Home” and starred thereafter in the leading role in “Sister” at the age of twelve. The film was honoured with the Silver Bear at the Berlinale in 2012. Meier offers insight into her work with Kacey Mottet Klein and other actors as a panel member of Basic Trust: Growing Relationships with Actors panel, featured within the Berlinale Talents programme.
Shooting Star 2015: Sven Schelker
Sven Schelker is Switzerland’s Shooting Star at the 65th Berlinale. The 25-year-old actor from Basel has been a member of the ensemble at Hamburg’s Thalia Theater since 2012. He made his film debut in the award-winning Swiss film “The Circle”. The gay drama was honoured with the Teddy Award and the Panorama Audience Award at the Berlinale last year. Schelker is one of ten European actors chosen as Shooting Stars. The Shooting Stars event has become a coveted talent exchange for young actors from all over Europe. This was especially evident for Zurich’s Joel Basman, the Swiss Shooting Star in 2008, who has since had a notable film career. Basman stars in the leading role of Andreas Dresen’s new film “Als wir träumten”, which has also been selected for this year’s Competition.
SWISS FILMS, February 4, 2015
SWISS FILMS Berlinale e-booklet